Spotify as a Social Media

We all know and love Spotify as a music streaming service, but have you ever considered Spotify to be a form of social media? Probably not. Social media is defined as any platform that facilitates the creation and sharing of information, ideas and interests. So technically, Spotify can be classed as a form of social media.

Okay, but what is it exactly that makes Spotify a social media?

Personal accounts

Like most social media platforms, Spotify requires its users to have a personal account, whether that be ad-supported or paid. This allows the user to add a profile picture and follow friends, family and artists. All the usual things you’d expect from a social platform. Users can also view the music others are listening to, the artists they follow and playlists they’ve created.

Create and share playlists

One of Spotify’s most popular features is the ability to create and share playlists. Users can create a playlist for any occasion, theme, or mood, and share it with their followers, or if they’re feeling particularly confident with their music selection, the entire Spotify community.

In addition to playlists, Spotify also has a feature called “Discover Weekly” which creates a personalised playlist for each user based on their listening habits. This enables the user to discover new artists and genres, helping them to expand their musical horizons.

Connect with other users

A key social aspect of Spotify is the ability to follow and connect with other users, artists, and bands. By following someone, users can see their activity on Spotify, including what they are listening to, what playlists they are creating, and what events they are attending.

The “Connect” feature allows users to directly connect with their favourite artists, viewing their music, updates and behind-the-scenes content. This not only helps fans to feel more connected to their favourite artists, but keeps them up-to-date on the artist’s music and events.

In addition to connecting with other users and artists, Spotify also has a strong presence on other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. In sharing their listening habits, playlists, and favourite artists with their friends and followers on these platforms, users can further expand their social circle. However, the core aspect of Spotify that sets it apart from other social media platforms is its focus on music. While other platforms may have music as a feature, it’s not the primary focus. On Spotify, music is the centre of the experience, connecting users through a shared love.